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We must make theatre accessible

Belinda Campbell, "We must make theatre accessible."

wit incorporated has announced another exciting season of theatre 2018, this time with a specific focus on access.

Artistic Director Belinda Campbell says, "It's not enough for us to tell great stories. We need to ensure that everyone feels welcomed and has access to the shows we are staging.

"It's more than just making sure there's a door that a wheelchair can get through," she says. "We are pledging to do everything we can to make sure that everyone who comes to our shows feels equally welcome.

"That means ensuring every season has an Auslan interpreted show and a relaxed performance. It also means making sure our printed material is available in Large Print, and that wheelchair access doesn't feel like you're coming in through the service entrance."

The season opens in March with the critically-acclaimed Bombshells, by Joanna Murray-Smith. Directed by Sarah Clarke, and performed by Belinda Campbell and Jennifer Piper, it's a darkly comic look at the resilience of women. Six "women on the edge" are at the brink. On the edge. Dropping bombshells with every turn. Balancing right in that moment when you’re not sure if you’ll laugh, cry, scream or tap dance. Bombshells by Joanna Murray-Smith is presented by Shoe Envy.

From April to September, the company will hit the road, taking its acclaimed children's show, A Hero's Guide to Saving the Planet, to primary schools across the inner-west. Maribyrnong City Council have provided funding to remount this show, via the Community Grants Program.

Rounding out the year is Ophelia Thinks Harder, by Jean Betts. In this hilarious rethink of Shakespeare's classic tragedy, Hamlet is still Prince of Denmark, but Ophelia gets all the best lines. Directed by Belinda Campbell and featuring Sarah Clarke, Ebony McGuire, Chad O’Brien and Jennifer Piper, it's all the characters you love (and hate), but seen through the women's eyes.

The company's children's outreach program, Wit Kids, will continue into its third year, with support from Braybrook Community Hub and Maribyrnong Community Centre.

They will also continue their Sundays at the Church workshop series, inviting actors, theatre-makers and writers to work on their craft in the beautiful surrounds of Bluestone Church Arts Space in Footscray.

Most read reviews

The stage adaptation by Tom Wright has adroitly captured the complex nature of this story, one full of contrasts – a fun picnic turned tragedy, English rules and regulations as opposed to the lawlessness of Australian bush and the diminutive schools girls gazing up at a towering rock.

Dolly and a group of her very talented friends joined forces and hands on Saturday and delivered an incredibly enjoyable evening of razor sharp asides, astute observations and a thunderstorm of glitteringly camp costumes.